Video: The Ambassador Who Paid the Ultimate Price

By Tom Shoop

September 12, 2012

Compounding the tragedy of the senseless attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, is the fact the U.S. ambassador killed in the attack, Chris Stevens, had dedicated much of his career and his life to helping the people of the country.

One look at Stevens' video message to the Libyan people upon his appointment in May tells you everything you need to know about his dedication and commitment to improving their lives and restoring the country's relationship with the United States:

Stevens was a career Foreign Service officer who started his federal service in the Peace Corps and had served two previous tours of duty in Libya -- including as a special representative to the country's opposition forces in its revolution last year.

He is the embodiment of the commitment and dedication to proud, yet quiet service that characterizes not only America's diplomats overseas, but career employees throughout the government in this country as well. It's times like these when it's important to remember that government doesn't just exist in abstract caricatures and broad-brush representations of waste and inefficiency. It lives in the form of people like Chris Stevens.